Under the topic “Resolved: That losing some of our freedom is necessary for maintaining our nation’s security,” the pro side prevailed with a vote of 127 to 78 on Monday night at the speech forum. Hollie Garrison, English sophomore from Thibodaux moderated the event. Jaret Hubbell, psychology junior from Thibodaux, spoke for the pro side, and Charles Brown Sr., business administration sophomore from Houma, spoke for the con side.

The forum began with Hubbell speaking in favor of losing some freedoms to maintain our nation’s security.

Hubbell began by stating two dates that he wanted the audience to remember. These dates were Sept. 11, when the terrorist attacks occurred, and Oct. 26 when President Bush signed a bill into law that will place restrictions on our civil liberties.

“Although it may take you some time to realize this, your life did change,” Hubbell said.

“Whether you agree or not, we are here to debate this issue.”

Hubbell stated the two reasons why he supports the proposition.

“We must all be willing to make some sacrifices. And second, national security needs to be of our highest priority,” he said.

Examining these ideas, Hubbell said Americans should not be so self-serving.

“Many Americans are spoiled, simply because we have never had to face international war at home. It has always been over there, somewhere out of our reach, somewhere else,” he said.

Hubbell said that America has seen both the best and the worst of humanity as a result of the attacks on Sept. 11. The best being the work of the firemen, policemen and medical personnel, and the worst being the war and the threat of anthrax.

“We must be willing to give up more basic freedoms such as allowing the government to tap our phone lines in order to find possible terrorists, and the checking of e-mails in order to scan any possible messages, because the war is here now, not elsewhere,” he said.

“How much are you willing to sacrifice?”

Hubbell talked about people from the past who spoke for this country. He said it does not matter if people are pro or anti-war. What matters is that American are together as a people, in order to protect their way of life.

“Freedoms and our way of life don’t come without sacrifices,” he said.

Brown began his views by quoting from the Declaration of Independence, stating the freedoms of Americans.

“I am opposed to giving up my individual rights, because I believe that our national security can be maintained without infringements on my individual rights,” he said.

Brown stated the three reasons why he felt this way.

“I do not want to give the government a blank check. I do not want to give up my constitutional rights. I do not want to exceedingly, excessively secure a nation that is already secure,” he said.

When discussing his three reasons, Brown said despite the concern from the public, voices are not heard. He also said tax-payers will be responsible for building a strong federal reserve.

“Who will be responsible for rebuilding America?” Brown said.

He said that as an American citizen, he enjoys his freedom of speech, freedom of the press, protection of property, due process and the life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“I fought in the Vietnam War. Because of fighting for my country, I now suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. I have earned my rights and privileges as a United States citizen, and I am unwilling to compromise,” he said.

Brown said he is confident in the government’s response to the events that took place Sept. 11, and that they are taking all steps necessary to protect the nation.

“However, the rest is up to us as individual citizens to do our best to protect ourselves as we travel up and down these highways,” Brown said.

He said America is a nation of abiding citizens, and that he objects to giving up his civil liberties.

“America is secure if our resources are utilized properly, he said.